The Los Angeles native dancer and physician, Richard Fein, passed away on July 3, 2022. Fein began his training as a teenager in Santa Monica, CA with artists Don Hewitt and Joey Harris. Later in his career Fein would find himself training with Gabriela Taub Darvash in New York. Determination and a passion for growth would lead him to work in various companies throughout New York and Europe.

Richard taught me so much. He taught me that failing is not failing but an opportunity to do something else.

-Anthony Rizzi

Richard was loved by many dancers and choreographers. His generosity paved way for many meaningful and significant relationships. Grissette Laemmerhirt was one of many accompanying dancers that had wonderful memories with Fein. Laemmerhirt shares a story about how almost immediately after joining Ballet Frankfurk in 1985, choreographer Bill Forsythe introduced the concept of improvisation in How to Recognize Greek Art – a piece of work set on the two dancers. She remembers watching Fein grasp it as though it was natural while she struggled in the beginning.

Richard was a unique and special person that was not on this earth long enough but his kindness, wit and artistry will remain in all who were fortunate to know him.

– Don Hewitt

After encountering a knee injury, Fein decided to retire from dance in 1989 but his work with the community was not finished. In 1991 he began the process of receiving his Doctorate degree. Fein would receive his Doctorate of Osteopathy from the University of Health Services in 2000 and become a Physician at Maine General Medical Center in 2003.

Accomplishments

• National Ballet of Canada
• 1977 – 1979: Pennsylvania Ballet
• 1979 – 1983: Feld Ballet
• April – September 1984: AterBalletto
• 1985 – 1990: Ballet Frankfurt
• 1991 – 1993: Undergraduate degree at Cabrillo College
• 1993 – 1995: Bachelor of Arts in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology at University of California, Santa Cruz
• 1995 – 2000 Doctor of Osteopathy at University of Health Services